Solar photovoltaics: An Indian perspective

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic energy sources have been assessed to be of immense importance for the future supply of energy in India, particularly in the agricultural sector. The present economics are very unfavourable for the large-scale rural application of solar energy sources in India. However, a number of low power “industrial” requirements can be met with the photovoltaic systems available at present. The energy replacement in all such cases is rather small. In an attempt to make solar photovoltaic systems economically attractive to rural users in India, the traditional sectoral approach of the development and manufacture of technology and the sale of specific photovoltaic systems may not yield the desired results. An integrated approach, involving the distribution of energy throughout the year between various season-dependent loads, is called for. This inherently difficult approach can only be attempted if a thorough assessment of the needs and traditional customs of the users has first been made. A purely commercial approach is not likely to yield results, although it must be recognized that commercial motivations are primarily responsible for the large-scale utilization of innovations and development in technology. This situation has been realized in India, and a long-term programme of research, technological development, manufacture, deployment, demonstration, field trials and study of locally produced photovoltaic systems, particularly for rural application, has therefore been initiated. It is also felt that, because the supply of energy is a crucial strategic area, it is necessary for India to be self-reliant in the field of solar photovoltaics, which is at present in its infancy. In this endeavour, international cooperation, both with industrialized countries and with other developing countries, is necessary.